Abstract: Certain embodiments are directed to methods of purifying methanol comprising fractionating a feed source into methanol and heavy alcohol or fusel alcohol fractions and further recovering methanol from the fusel alcohol fraction.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of gas chemistry and, more specifically, to methods and devices for producing aromatic hydrocarbons from natural gas, which involve producing synthesis gas, converting same into methanol producing, from the methanol, in the presence of a catalyst, a concentrate of aromatic hydrocarbons and water, separating the water, air stripping hydrocarbon residues from the water, and separating-out the resultant concentrate of aromatic hydrocarbons and hydrogen-containing gas, the latter being at least partially used in the production of synthesis gas to adjust the ratio therein of H2:CO 1.8-2.3:1, and can be used for producing aromatic hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A process for synthesising methanol is described comprising the steps of (i) passing a feed gas comprising a make-up gas containing hydrogen and carbon dioxide to a methanol synthesis loop, (ii) recovering a product gas mixture containing methanol from the methanol synthesis loop, (iii) cooling the product gas mixture to below the dew point to condense crude methanol, (iv) separating the crude methanol from an unreacted gas mixture, (v) passing a portion of the unreacted gas mixture to the methanol synthesis loop and (vi) recovering a portion of the unreacted gas mixture as a purge gas stream, characterised by contacting the crude methanol and a portion of the purge gas in a stripping unit to strip dissolved gases from the crude methanol thereby forming a stripped crude methanol and an enriched gas mixture, and feeding at least a portion of the enriched gas mixture to the methanol synthesis loop.

Abstract: A volume of natural gas including a volume of methane and a volume of other alkanes may be cleaned of the other alkanes using a steam reformer system to create synthesis gas.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for producing carbon monoxide (CO) from a feed stream comprising carbon dioxide (CO2) and natural gas and/or naphtha the process comprising a syngas generation step, a CO2 removal step and a CO purification step and the process further comprises an SOEC unit which produces CO from a CO2 stream, the process is especially suited for increasing the capacity of existing known CO production plants.

Abstract: Method for the preparation of synthesis gas based on a combination of the ATR process or partial oxidation of hydrocarbon fee stock using oxygen from the electrolysis of water and an air separation unit to produce the synthesis gas.

Abstract: A method for improving thermal efficiency of steam production in a steam reforming based syngas plant is provided. In one embodiment, the method can include the steps of: preheating a hydrocarbon feed stream in a first heat exchanger from a first temperature to a second temperature; preheating the hydrocarbon feed stream in a second heat exchanger to a third temperature, wherein the third temperature is greater than the second temperature; introducing the hydrocarbon feed stream in the presence of steam to a steam methane reformer under conditions effective for producing a product stream comprising hydrogen, carbon oxides, and water vapor; and exchanging heat between the product stream and a boiler feed water stream in a third heat exchanger, wherein prior to exchanging heat with the product stream, the boiler feed water stream is used to provide the preheating to the hydrocarbon feed stream in the first heat exchanger.

Abstract: An apparatus for improving thermal efficiency of steam production is provided.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for producing a H2-containing product and a CO-containing product with CO-containing product turndown capability. The H2-containing product is produced in a process train with a shift reactor and pressure swing adsorption unit. The CO-containing product is produced in a process train with a CO2 removal unit and a cryogenic separation unit. During the CO-containing product turndown mode, a portion or all of the CO-containing product is passed to the shift reactor in the H2-containing product train to form additional H2.

Abstract: There is proposed a method for starting up a pre-reforming stage in an integrated reforming plant in which a hydrocarbonaceous feed stream, in particular natural gas, is converted into a reformation product containing carbon oxides, hydrogen and hydrocarbons. Before carrying out the start-up method, the catalyst contained in the pre-reforming stage is in an oxidized or passivated state. For its activation, the pre-reforming catalyst is charged with a methanol/steam mixture, from which by steam reformation of methanol in situ the hydrogen required for the activation of the catalyst is produced. Excess hydrogen is used for the hydrogen supply of the desulfurization stage arranged upstream of the pre-reforming stage.

Abstract: A method of processing stranded remote gas comprising (a) introducing stranded remote gas and steam to a reforming unit to produce synthesis gas (syngas), wherein the stranded remote gas comprises methane, carbon dioxide, and sulfur-containing compounds, and wherein the syngas is characterized by a molar ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide of from about 1.7:1 to about 2.5:1; (b) introducing at least a portion of the syngas to a Fischer-Tropsch (FT) unit to produce an FT syncrude product, FT water, and FT tail gas, wherein the FT syncrude product comprises FT hydrocarbon liquids, wherein the FT syncrude product comprises FT wax in an amount of less than about 5 wt. %, and wherein the FT unit is characterized by an FT reaction temperature of from about 300° C. to about 350° C.; and (c) blending the FT syncrude product with crude oil for storage and/or transport.

Abstract: Process for the production of synthesis gas by catalytic steam reforming of a hydrocarbon containing feedstock in parallel in an autothermal steam reformer and heat exchange reformer, the heat for the steam reforming reactions in the heat exchange reformer being provided by indirect heat exchange with the combined effluent of the heat exchange reformer and a portion of the autothermal steam reformer.

Abstract: Carbon dioxide is reacted with methane in a free radical reaction to produce methanol and carbon monoxide. A system for producing carbon dioxide as a feed ingredient for the process through electric power generator is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for conversion of greenhouse gases comprises: introducing a flow of a dehumidified gaseous source of carbon dioxide into a reaction vessel; introducing a flow of a dehumidified gaseous source of methane into the reaction vessel; and irradiating catalytic material in the reaction vessel with microwave energy. The irradiated catalytic material is heated and catalyzes an endothermic reaction of carbon dioxide and methane that produces hydrogen and carbon monoxide. At least a portion of heat required to maintain a temperature within the reaction vessel is supplied by the microwave energy. A mixture that includes carbon monoxide and hydrogen can undergo catalyzed reactions producing multiple-carbon reaction products in a lower-temperature portion of the reaction vessel.

Abstract: A gasification system for producing synthetic gas from biomass, including: a biomass material pre-processing part; a pyrolysis part; a condensing part; and a gasification part. The pyrolysis part includes a pyrolysis bed and a combustion bed. The condensate tank of the condensing part is connected to a non-condensable pyrolysis gas compressor via a pipeline; an output of the non-condensable pyrolysis gas compressor is connected to the pyrolysis bed and the combustion bed. The non-condensable pyrolysis gas acts as a fuel of the combustion bed and a fluidizing medium of the pyrolysis bed.

Abstract: A system or method for producing gasoline from natural gas via methanol can effectively use the heat of reaction generated during the synthesis of gasoline and is capable of readily cooling the gasoline synthesis column in the production of gasoline from natural gas via methanol. A steam reformer 10 steam-reforms natural gas to generate reformed gas, methanol is synthesized by a methanol synthesis column 20 from the reformed gas, and in synthesizing gasoline from methanol by using a gasoline synthesis column 30, combustion air 41 to be supplied to the steam reformer 10 is preheated with the heat of reaction generated in the gasoline synthesis column 30, and then the preheated combustion air 41 is supplied to the steam reformer 10.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of liquid hydrocarbons by Fischer-Tropsch synthesis in which the reforming section of the plant comprises a process line comprising autothermal reforming (ATR) (5) or catalytic partial oxidation (CPO), and a separate process line comprising steam methane reforming (SMR) (8).

Abstract: A method to reduce formation of waste water in coal gasification and syngas pretreatment process by increasing the salinity of the waste water thereby reducing the overall volume of waste water formed.

Abstract: A process for the production of dimethyl ether from a methanol reactor effluent is disclosed. The process may include: contacting an aqueous extractant comprising water and an effluent from a methanol synthesis reactor comprising methanol and one or more of methane, water, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and nitrogen. At least a portion of the methanol partitions into the aqueous extractant; recovering an extract fraction comprising the aqueous extractant and methanol. The extract fraction is fed to a catalytic distillation reactor system for concurrently: contacting the methanol with catalyst in a reaction zone thereby catalytically reacting at least a portion of the methanol to form dimethyl ether and water; and fractionating the resulting dimethyl ether and the water to recover a first overheads fraction comprising dimethyl ether and a first bottoms fraction comprising water.

Abstract: Gas-to-liquids processes for treating natural gas, including the steps of subjecting the natural gas to expansion through a flow restrictor so as to undergo cooling through the Joule Thomson effect. The processes then separate the resulting liquids from the remaining natural gas and processing the natural gas to form a synthesis gas. The synthesis gas is subjected to Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and the output from the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis is separated into a hydrocarbon product and an aqueous phase and the aqueous phase is steam stripped to extract the oxygenates which are then injected into the natural gas stream upstream of the flow restrictor.

Abstract: In one embodiment, liquid hydrocarbon fuels are produced in a single reactor using a hybrid catalyst system including a reforming catalyst, a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) catalyst, and a porous material that spatially separates the reforming catalyst from the FTS catalyst.

Abstract: A method and system for producing methanol that employs an integrated oxygen transport membrane based reforming system is disclosed. The integrated oxygen transport membrane based reforming system carries out a primary reforming process, a secondary reforming process, and synthesis gas conditioning to produce synthesis gas having a desired module of between about 2.0 and 2.2 for a methanol production process thereby optimizing the efficiency and productivity of the methanol plant.

Abstract: A system or method for producing gasoline or dimethyl ether from natural gas via methanol includes: steam-reforming natural gas to generate reformed gas; synthesizing methanol from the reformed gas; synthesizing gasoline or dimethyl ether from the methanol; and at least one is selected from the group consisting of: pre-reforming natural gas prior to the steam-reforming; recovering carbon dioxide from flue gas generated in the steam-reforming; and preheating combustion air to be supplied to the steam-reforming by using synthesis heat generated in the synthesis of gasoline or dimethyl ether. In addition, an overall energy balance of the system is constructed by using heat recovery from flue gas generated in the steam-reforming, heat recovery from the reformed gas, synthesis heat generated in the synthesis of methanol, synthesis heat generated in the synthesis of gasoline or DME, and heat recovered in the pre-reforming, carbon dioxide recovering, or air preheating, respectively if selected.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for production and recovery of volatile organic compounds and higher hydrocarbons from biomass material. One embodiment comprises contacting a solid component of a biomass material with a digestive solvent to form a digested biomass stream, and at least a portion of the digested biomass is further thermocatalytically treated to generate higher hydrocarbons. The solid component is generated by a method comprising introducing a biomass material to a compartment of a solventless recovery system, wherein the biomass material contains one or more volatile organic compounds; contacting the biomass material with a superheated vapor stream in the compartment to vaporize at least a portion of an initial liquid content in the biomass material; separating a vapor component and a solid component from the heated biomass material; retaining at least a portion of the gas component for use as part of the superheated vapor stream.

Abstract: A hydrogen rich fuel gas for a gas turbine ballasted with nitrogen and steam can be produced and superheated to a temperature above its dew point. The fuel gas may have a minimal or reduced content of CO2 or fuel components CO and CH4 which contain carbon so that when combusted in a suitable gas turbine there may be minimal or reduced emissions of CO2 to the atmosphere. These example methods may result in a capture of the bulk of the carbon present in the total natural gas feed as CO2 compressed to pipeline delivery pressure for sequestration.

Abstract: Partial oxidation/steam reformers (222) which use heat integrated steam cycles and steam to carbon ratios of at least about 4:1 to enable efficient operation at high pressures suitable for hydrogen purification unit operation such as membrane separation (234) and pressure swing adsorption.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing synthetic gas are provided. The method can include gasifying a carbonaceous feedstock in the presence of an oxidant within a gasifier to provide a raw syngas. The raw syngas can be cooled within a cooler to provide a cooled syngas. The cooled syngas can be processed within a purification system to provide a treated syngas. The purification system can include a saturator adapted to increase a moisture content of the cooled syngas. The treated syngas and a first heat transfer medium can be introduced to a methanator to provide a synthetic gas, a second heat transfer medium, and a methanation condensate. At least a portion of the methanation condensate can be recycled from the methanator to the saturator.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide additive systems for biomass gasification reactors. For example, in one embodiment, a biomass gasification system includes a feedstock preparation system configured to generate a biomass feedstock having a biomass fuel and a tar cracking additive. The system also includes a gasifier configured to receive the biomass feedstock and gasify the biomass fuel in the presence of the tar cracking additive to generate first and second mixtures. The first mixture has producer gas and the second mixture has the tar cracking additive and ash. The biomass gasification system further includes an additive recycle system configured to receive the second mixture and to separate at least a portion of the tar cracking additive from the ash to generate a recycled additive feed for the feedstock preparation system.

Abstract: System and method for sustainable economic development which includes hydrogen extracted from substances, for example, sea water, industrial waste water, agricultural waste water, sewage, and landfill waste water. The hydrogen extraction is accomplished by thermal dissociation, electrical dissociation, optical dissociation, and magnetic dissociation. The hydrogen extraction further includes operation in conjunction with energy addition from renewable resources, for example, solar, wind, moving water, geothermal, or biomass resources.

Abstract: A method for recycling exhaust gas from Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. The method includes: 1) introducing raw gas to a shift reactor to conduct a water-gas shift reaction, and collecting shift gas; 2) introducing the shift gas to a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis device to yield a hydrocarbon fuel and exhaust gas, returning part of the exhaust gas as recycle gas; 3) introducing another part of the exhaust gas to a methanation reactor, allowing a methanation reaction to happen between the part of the exhaust gas and water vapor; 4) introducing a mixed gas product from the methanation reaction to a methane reforming reactor; 5) transporting the hydrogen and carbon monoxide resulting from the methane reforming reaction to a gas separator, separating the hydrogen and obtaining a mixed gas including carbon dioxide; and 6) returning the mixed gas including carbon dioxide to the methane reforming reactor.

Abstract: Reactive diluent fluid (22) is introduced into a stream of synthesis gas (or “syngas”) produced in a heat-generating unit such as a partial oxidation (“POX”) reactor (12) to cool the syngas and form a mixture of cooled syngas and reactive diluent fluid. Carbon dioxide and/or carbon components and/or hydrogen in the mixture of cooled syngas and reactive diluent fluid is reacted (26) with at least a portion of the reactive diluent fluid in the mixture to produce carbon monoxide-enriched and/or solid carbon depleted syngas which is fed into a secondary reformer unit (30) such as an enhanced heat transfer reformer in a heat exchange reformer process. An advantage of the invention is that problems with the mechanical integrity of the secondary unit arising from the high temperature of the syngas from the heat-generating unit are avoided.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to processes for hydromethanating a carbonaceous feedstock in a hydromethanation reactor to a methane product stream and a char by-product, and more specifically to removal of the char by-product from the hydromethanation reactor.

Abstract: A method for improving Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and recycling exhaust gases therefrom. The method includes: 1) transforming raw gas for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis using a water-gas shift reaction, transporting the transformed raw gas to a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis device for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis in the presence of a Fe-based or Co-based catalyst; 2) introducing exhaust gases from the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis device to a first pressure-swing adsorber for hydrogen recovery; 3) introducing the exhaust gases from 2) to a second pressure-swing adsorber for methane recovery; 4) returning part of the hydrogen obtained from 2) to 1) to mix with the raw gas, and transforming a resulting mixed gas to adjust a hydrogen/carbon ratio of the raw gas; and 5) introducing the methane in 3) to a methane reforming device to reform the methane whereby yielding syngas having relatively high hydrogen/carbon ratio, and transporting the syngas to 1) to mix with the raw gas.

Abstract: A process for improving the hydrogen content of a synthesis gas stream to a synthesis loop, comprising the steps of: (a) removing a purge stream comprising hydrogen and hydrocarbons from a synthesis loop; (b) separating hydrogen from the purge stream; (c) passing the purge stream to a reformer and reacting with steam and oxygen to produce a stream comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide; (d) subjecting the reformed reaction product stream to a shift reaction to produce a stream comprising carbon dioxide and hydrogen; (e) subjecting the product stream from the shift reaction to separation to separate hydrogen from carbon dioxide; (f) supplying the separated hydrogen to the synthesis loop; and (g) removing the carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A power station-based methanation system which has a fossil fuel-fired power station together with an electrolysis unit and a methanation reactor is provided. The power station and the electrolysis unit are configured for supplying the methanation reactor with starting materials for a methanation reaction and the electrolysis unit can be operated both in a charging state and in a discharging state, in which charging state the electrolysis unit supplies electric power and a chemical energy store is at the same time charged and in which discharging state the chemical energy store is discharged.

Abstract: The invention provides for \ a method of forming methanol by combining a mixture of methane, water and carbon dioxide under reaction conditions sufficient to form a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Hydrogen and carbon monoxide are reacted under conditions sufficient to form methanol. The molar ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide is at least two moles of hydrogen to one mole of carbon monoxide and the overall molar ratio between methane, water and carbon dioxide is about 3:2:1. Methane, carbon dioxide and water are bi-reformed over a catalyst. The catalyst includes a single metal, a metal oxide, a mixed catalyst of a metal and a metal oxide or a mixed catalyst of at least two metal oxides.

Abstract: A method for converting carbon dioxide in flue gas into natural gas using dump energy. The method includes: 1) transforming and rectifying a voltage of dump energy generated from a renewable energy plant, introducing the voltage-transformed and rectified dump energy into an electrolyte solution to electrolyze water therein to yield H2 and O2; 2) purifying industrial flue gas to separate CO2 therein and purifying CO2; 3) transporting H2 generated and CO2 to a synthesis equipment, allowing a methanation reaction between H2 and CO2 to happen to yield a high-temperature mixed gas with main ingredients of CH4 and water vapor; 4) employing the high-temperature mixed gas to conduct indirect heat exchange with process water to yield superheated water vapor; 5) delivering the superheated water vapor to a turbine to generate electric energy, and returning the electric energy to step 1); and 6) condensing and drying the mixed gas.

Abstract: An integrated microchannel reactor and heat exchanger comprising: (a) a waveform sandwiched between opposing shim sheets and mounted to the shim sheets to form a series of microchannels, where each microchannel includes a pair of substantially straight side walls, and a top wall formed by at least one of the opposing shim sheets, and (b) a first set of microchannels in thermal communication with the waveform, where the waveform has an aspect ratio greater than two.

Abstract: A thermochemical process and system for producing fuel are provided. The thermochemical process includes reducing an oxygenated-hydrocarbon to form an alkane and using the alkane in a reforming reaction as a reducing agent for water, a reducing agent for carbon dioxide, or a combination thereof. Another thermochemical process includes reducing a metal oxide to form a reduced metal oxide, reducing an oxygenated-hydrocarbon with the reduced metal oxide to form an alkane, and using the alkane in a reforming reaction as a reducing agent for water, a reducing agent for carbon dioxide, or a combination thereof. The system includes a reformer configured to perform a thermochemical process.

Abstract: A gas-to-liquids process and plant for treating natural gas, in which the natural gas is subjected to expansion through a flow restrictor so as to undergo cooling through the Joule Thomson effect, enables liquids to be separated from the gas stream. The natural gas may be cooled before it reaches the flow restrictor by heat exchange with fluid that has passed through the flow restrictor. This decreases the proportion of longer-chain hydrocarbons in the natural gas, which may simplify subsequent processing, and may enable the size of the plant to be decreased.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a hydrocarbon, the method including bringing metal Mg into contact with water and carbon dioxide and reducing the carbon dioxide. In the method, one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Group 8 elements, Group 9 elements, B, C, S, Ca, V, Mn, Ni, Ge, Zr, Nb, Pd, Ag, Sn, Pt, Au, and Ce are used as combination element(s), and the contact is effected under presence of one or more of simple substance(s) of the combination element(s), water-soluble compound(s) of the combination element(s), and ion(s) of the combination element(s).

Abstract: A system and method for reducing the CO2 in a gaseous stream between 33% up to and even in excess of 90%, by reducing CO2. A gaseous stream that includes substantial amounts of CO2 is provided to a reaction chamber along with H2O (steam) and a carbon source such as charcoal, coke or other carbonaceous material. Carbon is provided to the chamber at a ratio (C/CO2) of between about 0.100 to 0.850, and between about 0.200 to 0.900 of H2O to the provided CO2. The CO2, H2O and carbon are heated to between about 1500° F. and about 3000° F. at about one atmosphere to produce syngas (i.e. carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen (H2)) and reduces the amount of CO2. The Syngas may then be cleaned and provided to a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reactor or a Bio-catalytic synthesis reactor to produce a fuel, such as Methanol, Ethanol, Diesel and Jet Fuel.

Abstract: A method for producing synthetic gas with which a virtually soot-free synthetic gas having a good composition can be efficiently obtained by a simple device using a liquid biofuel as the starting material, and it is thereby possible to produce a high-quality liquid fuel such as methanol, gasoline or kerosene. Steam and a liquid biofuel produced by pyrolysis of a biomass are fed to the gasification space inside a reactor tube that is not loaded with a catalyst inside the reactor tube and heated to 800 to 1,200° C. from the outside via the reactor tube walls to induce an endothermic reaction and thereby a steam reforming chemical reaction between the steam and the liquid biofuel. By setting the molar ratio of the fed steam and carbon in the liquid biofuel ([H2O]/[C]) at 0.3 or higher, a synthetic gas having a good composition that is virtually free of tar and soot and is primarily H2 and CO is obtained.

Abstract: A system and method for producing Syngas from the CO2 in a gaseous stream, such as an exhaust stream, from a power plant or industrial plant, like a cement kiln, is disclosed. A preferred embodiment includes providing the gaseous stream to pyrolysis reactor along with a carbon source such as coke. The CO2 and carbon are heated to about 1330° C. and at about one atmosphere with reactants such as steam such that a reaction takes place that produces Syngas, carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen (H2). The Syngas is then cleaned and provided to a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reactor to produce Ethanol or Bio-catalytic synthesis reactor.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for generating synthesis gas using hydrocarbons and water are described. In further embodiments of the method and the apparatus, synthesis gases having any desired CO/hydrogen ratio and/or synthetic functionalised and/or non-functionalised hydrocarbons are generated. With this method, a hydrocarbon containing fluid may be transformed into a synthesis gas having variable hydrogen content without generating significant amounts of CO2. Further, hydrogen and different forms of carbon may be obtained as by-products.

Abstract: A process and system for producing liquid and gas fuels and other useful chemicals from carbon containing source materials comprises cool plasma gasification and/or pyrolysis of a source material to produce synthesis gas using the produced synthesis gas for the production of a hydrocarbon, methanol, ammonia, urea, and other products. The process and system are capable of sequestering carbon dioxide and reducing NOx and SOx.

Abstract: Process for synthesizing hydrocarbons includes: reforming a hydrocarbon feedstock containing inert gases in reforming stages to generate a synthesis gas including the inert gases, steam, hydrogen and carbon monoxide; cooling the synthesis gas below the dew point to obtain a dewatered synthesis gas; synthesizing hydrocarbons from the dewatered synthesis gas by the Fischer-Tropsch reaction and separating at least part of the synthesized hydrocarbons, to give a tail gas; subjecting a mixture of at least part of the tail gas and steam to the water-gas shift reaction, to form shifted tail gas having increased hydrogen and carbon dioxide contents; subjecting the shifted tail gas to one or more membrane separation stages thereby generating an inert gas-containing gas mixture and one or more of a hydrogen-, carbon dioxide- and a hydrocarbon-containing gas mixture; and using one or more of the hydrogen-, carbon dioxide- and hydrocarbon-containing gas mixture in a reformer feed stream.

Abstract: A process for synthesis of methanol, where make-up syngas is reacted in a synthesis loop (10) obtaining crude methanol, and where a purge gas (20) taken from said synthesis loop is heated to 200-500° C. by indirect heat exchange with a high-temperature heat source, the heated purge gas (33) being expanded in a gas expander (34) to recover energy.

Abstract: A method of catalytically preparing a fluid product from solid carbonaceous material is described. In the method, at least one of the following equilibria is established by one or more catalysts: a) CH3OH?CO+2H2, b) CO+H2O?CO2+H2. In some versions, the solid carbonaceous material is woody biomass. Components of the fluid product can include one or a combination of C5-C9 alcohols, In certain versions, the method can he practiced with substantially all of the carbon in the carbonaceous material being converted to the fluid product. Also, in some versions, the fluid product can be prepared with substantially no char formation. The fluid product of various versions can be used directly as fuel or as a reagent for preparing commodity chemicals without the need for separating the fluid product components.

Abstract: An enhanced Fischer-Tropsch process for the synthesis of sulfur free, clean burning, hydrocarbon fuels, examples of which include syndiesel and aviation fuel. Naphtha is destroyed in a syngas generator and recycled as feedstock to an Fischer-Tropsch (FT) reactor in order to enhance the production of syndiesel from the reactor. The process enhancement results is the maximum production of formulated syndiesel without the formation of low value by-products.